Information recording/reproducing apparatus, and information recording medium

ABSTRACT

In an information recording, a first data processor divides input data into a plurality of frames so as to arrange the plurality of frames for each unit block. The unit block is a unit of error-correction with respect to the input data and the frames include first identification information, respectively. A second data processor inserts a linking block on a boundary portion between unit blocks in the record data. The unit blocks are adjacent to each other. The linking block includes a second identification information and the second identification information is different from each of the first identification information. A controller controls to record the unit block and the linking block on the information recording medium.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information recording/reproducingapparatus an information recording method each of which is capable ofinserting a linking block on an information recording medium whichallows information to be recorded thereon or to be reproduced therefrom,an information recording medium on which the linking block is insertedand an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing informationrecorded on an information recording medium.

BACKGROUND ART

Large-capacity information recording mediums, such as DVDs (DigitalVersatile Disc) which are typical of them, have been widely spread. Inrecently, the desire with respect to an information recording mediumwhich allows data to be recorded thereon grows. For example, standardsof disks including a DVD-R (DVD-Recordable) which allows data to berecorded thereon only once, a DVD-RW (DVD-Re-Recordable) which allowsdata to be repeatedly recorded thereon and so on are known. In cases ofrecording data on such as recordable or re-recordable disk, whenrecording additional data on an area which is continued on a former areaon which another data is already recorded, a linking block must beformed on the boundary portion between both of data.

That is, when starting to record new additional data on an area directlyadjacent to the former area on which data is already recorded, adifference between both of the timings of reproducing both of theadjacent areas causes a data error.

Recording, therefore, new additional data on another area away from theformer area on which the data is already recorded at a predeterminedinterval makes secure accurate reproduction of the recorded data.

In a DVD format, error-correction operations are carried out for eachECC (Error Control Code) block. After new additional data is recorded onthe DVD, the last ECC block included in the already recorded data andthe first ECC block included in the new additional data are adjacent toeach other. Usually, a predetermined range in the first ECC block, whichis adjacent to the head thereof, is set as the liking block.

Setting the linking block, however, in the described manner causes aproblem in that a size of the ECC block, which can be utilized forerror-correction, to be reduced, thereby deteriorating error-correctionperformance.

In order to prevent the error-correction performance from beingdeteriorated, it is possible not to write data on the head one of theECC blocks in the additional data, data which must be originally writtenthereon. Because the ECC block, however, has a remarkably large datasize (16 sectors in length, that is, 38688 bytes in length), in caseswhere the head one of the ECC blocks is not utilized each time theadditional data is recorded, making increase useless areas in therecording zone on the disk, thereby causing a data capacity of the diskwhich allows recording of data thereon to be decreased.

From this viewpoint, it is considered that the linking block is arrangedindependent of the ECC block, whereas, when forming the linking block ona recordable/re-recordable information recording medium, such as aDVD-R, DVD-RW or the like, which allows data to be recorded, so that thelinking block is independent of the ECC block, it is not secured thatthe compatibility of the recordable/re-recordable information recordingmedium with a reproduction-only information recording medium such asDVD-ROM (DVD-Read Only Memory).

It is, therefore, desirable to determine the format of linking blockwhich is commonly arranged on both of the recordable/re-recordableinformation recording medium and the reproduction-only informationrecording medium, thereby making common the definition of the format oflinking block as a recording format.

The linking block, however, in the reproduction-only informationrecording medium, which is not originally required therein, causes therecording capacity of the reproduction-only information recording mediumto be wasted.

In cases where the recording format is common between therecordable/re-recordable information recording medium and thereproduction-only information recording medium so that arbitraryinformation is recorded on the linking block in the reproduction-onlyinformation recording medium, it is impossible to prevent the wholeinformation recorded on the reproduction-only information recordingmedium from being illegally copied, thereby recording the illegallycopied information on the recordable/re-recordable information recordingmedium.

The present invention is directed to overcome the foregoing problems.Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aninformation recording/reproducing apparatus, an information recordingmedium, an information reproducing medium and so on, which are capableof preventing, when forming the linking block on an informationrecordable/re-recordable recording medium or a reproduction-onlyinformation recording medium, error-correction performance from beingdeteriorated, thereby improving their reliabilities.

In addition, it is another object of the present invention to cause thewaste in a recording area of an information recording medium to bedecreased, thereby making efficiently use of the recording capacity inthe information recording medium. Furthermore, it is further object ofthe present invention to efficiently prevent an illegal copy from theinformation recording medium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided aninformation recording apparatus for recording information comprising: afirst data processor for dividing input data into a plurality of framesso as to arrange the plurality of frames for each unit block, the unitblock being a unit of error-correction with respect to the input data,the frames including first identification information, respectively; asecond data processor for inserting a linking block on a boundaryportion between at least one pair of unit blocks, at least one pair ofthe units blocks being adjacent to each other, the linking blockincluding second identification information, the second identificationinformation being different from each of the first identificationinformation; and a controller for controlling to record the unit blockand the linking block on the information recording medium.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of recording record data on an information recording apparatuscomprising: dividing input data into a plurality of frames so as toarrange the plurality of frames for each unit block, the unit blockbeing a unit of error-correction with respect to the input data, theframes including first identification information, respectively;inserting a linking block on a boundary portion between at least onepair of unit blocks, at least one pair of the units blocks beingadjacent to each other, the linking block including secondidentification information, the second identification information beingdifferent from each of the first identification information; andcontrolling to record the unit block and the linking block on theinformation recording medium.

According to further aspect of the present invention, there is providedan information recording medium on which record data is previouslyrecorded, comprising: a recording area on which a plurality of framesare arranged for each unit block, the record data being divided into theplurality of frames to which first identification information is added,respectively, the unit block being a unit of error-correction withrespect to the record data; and a linking block inserted on a boundaryportion between at least one pair of unit blocks in the record data, atleast one pair of the units blocks being adjacent to each other, thelinking block including second identification information, the secondidentification information being different from each of the firstidentification information.

According to still further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an information reproducing apparatus for reproducing recorddata which is recorded on the information recording medium according toclaim 17, comprising: a fourth data processor for reproducing, asreproduction data, the record data recorded on the image recordingmedium; and a fifth data processor for detecting the secondidentification information from the reproduction data, therebyidentifying a position of the linking block.

According to still further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an information recording medium for recording thereon recorddata, in which the record data comprises a plurality of unit blocks anda plurality of linking information, the unit block being a unit oferror-correction with respect to the record data, each of the linkinginformation connecting each pair of unit blocks adjacent to each other,the information recording medium comprising: first areas previouslystoring thereon recording position information representing recordingpositions on the information recording medium, respectively; and secondareas each of which is N times as wide as each of the first recordingareas, the N being a natural number, wherein each of the recordingposition information represents that each of the unit blocks and each ofthe linking information corresponding thereto ought to be recorded oneach of the second areas.

According to still further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of preventing an illegal copy in accordance with arecording format for recording record data for each unit block, the unitblock being a unit of error-collection with respect to the record data,the method of comprising: forming a linking block on a boundary portionbetween at least one pair of the unit blocks according to the recordingformat, at least one pair of the units blocks being adjacent to eachother; arranging an emboss area on a recording track on an informationrecording medium, the emboss area being composed of an emboss pit line,the emboss area being overlapped on the emboss area, thereby preventingrecording in the emboss area; and recording control information on thelinking block on a reproduction-only information recording medium, thereproduction-only information recording medium corresponding to therecording format, the control information being required forreproduction operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and aspects of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following description of an embodiment with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of aninformation recording/reproducing apparatus related to a firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing an ECC block configured by an ECC blockconfiguration unit in DVD data format, shown in FIG. 1 according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a configuration of each of sectors shown inFIG. 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state that a linking block is inserted on aboundary portion between already recorded data and additional data on adisk according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view representing a data portion including the linking blockshown in FIG. 4 in accordance with a data arrangement on the diskaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a frame format of a relationship between astructure of a recording track on an unrecorded disk and that of arecord data according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view showing waveform patterns of signals outputted fromunits of the information recording/reproducing apparatus in a case wherea linking block of the disk is reproduced thereby according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a view representing a data portion including the linking blockin accordance with a data arrangement which is the same as that in FIG.5 on a DVD-ROM as a disk according to a modification of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state that a linking block is inserted on aboundary portion between an already recorded data and additional data ona DVD-RW/DVD-R as a disk according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a view representing a data configuration of the linking blockapplied to the DVD-RW/DVD-R as the disk according to the secondembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a view showing waveform patterns of signals outputted fromunits of an information recording/reproducing apparatus in a case wherea linking block of a disk, such as DVD-RW/DVD-R is reproduced therebyaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a view showing a state that a linking block is inserted on aboundary portion between an already recorded data and additional data ona DVD-ROM as a disk according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a view representing a concrete structure of the linking blockapplied to the DVD-ROM shown in FIG. 12 according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a view showing an example of format of control data recordedon the linking block on the DVD-ROM according to the second embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 14B is a view showing another example of format of control datarecorded on the linking block on the DVD-ROM according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of aninformation recording/reproducing apparatus 1 related to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

Incidentally, in the first embodiment, the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1, which is capable of performingrecording/reproducing operations with using an information recordingmedium on which digital data can be recorded according to a DVD format,and to which the present invention is applied, is explained hereinafter.

According to the first embodiment, when recording data on a disk as theinformation recording medium, such as a DVD-RW, DVD-R or the like, thelinking block is formed so that, when recording additional datacontinuously to the already recorded data, the additional data isrecorded so that a linking block is interposed on the boundary portionbetween the already recorded data and the additional data.

The configuration of the linking block formed on the disk is differentfrom that of the conventional linking block.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the information recording/reproducingapparatus 1 comprises an optical pickup 3 having a light source such asa semiconductor laser for recording data on a disk 2, such as theDVD-RW, DVD-R or the like, and for reproducing it thereon.

The information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 also comprises an ECCblock configuration unit 5 for converting an analog signal correspondingto information to be recorded, which is inputted from an outside (forexample, information, such as image information, sound information,image-analog mixed information or the like, which is inputted by a userusing the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1, referred to as“user information”, hereinafter) into digital user data.

The ECC block configuration unit 5 is also operative to execute a codingoperation including an error-correction processing on the basis of thedigital user data so as to configure ECC blocks.

The information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 comprises a linkingblock inserting unit for inserting a linking block on the digital userdata (record data) which is configured as the ECC blocks by the ECCblock configuration unit 5, and a data recording unit 7 for recordingthrough the optical pickup 3 the record data on which the linking blockis inserted on the disk 2 as pits corresponding to the information to berecorded.

The information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 comprises a wobbledetecting unit 22 for detecting, when recording the record datacorresponding to the information to be recorded on the optical disk 2 onwhich no data is recorded, an wobbling detection signal corresponding towobbling of a recording track of the unrecorded optical disk 2 accordingto reflected beam from the recording track thereof. The wobble detectingunit 22 also is operative to output the wobbling detection signal to aCPU 20 and a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) unit 23, respectively.Incidentally, the PLL unit is referred to as simply PLL.

The information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 comprises the PLL 23for generating a record clock signal according to the wobbling detectionsignal, record clock signal that is a reference signal by which the datarecording unit 7, the linking block inserting unit 6 and the ECC blockconfiguration unit 5 are operated. The PLL 23 is also adapted to supplythe record clock signal to the data recording unit 7, the linking blockinserting unit 6 and the ECC block configuration unit 5, respectively.

The information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 comprises the CPU 20for detecting address information stored on the unrecorded optical disk2 according to the wobbling detection signal in the manner describedhereinafter, thereby outputting the address information to the datarecording unit 7.

That is, the disk 2 is rotated with a rotating drive unit (not shown).

The optical pickup 3 receives the record data transmitted from the datarecording unit 7 and drive the light source on the basis of the controlof the data recording unit 7 so as to generate optical beam such aslaser beam, thereby irradiating the generated optical beam on aninformation recording surface of the disk 2. The irradiated optical beamforms the pits corresponding to the record data so as to record therecord data on the disk 2.

At that time, when starting to record the record data, the opticalpickup 3 receives the reflected beam from the optical disk 2 so as todetect a period of the wobbling, thereby outputting the wobblingdetection signal corresponding to the period of the wobbling to the PLL23 and the CPU 20.

The CPU 20 detects the address information on the recording trackaccording to the wobbling detection signal so as to output the addressinformation to the data recording unit 7. The address information causesthe data recording unit 7 to recognize a record position of the opticaldisk 2, on which the record data should be recorded, according to theoutputted address information, thereby recording the record data on therecord position thereof.

Furthermore, the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 comprisesa reproduction signal production unit 11 for receiving an optical signalcorresponding to reflected beam from the disk 2 so as to produce areproduction signal corresponding to the reflected beam, a binaryslicing unit 12 for binarizing the reproduction signal into a binarysignal and a sync detecting unit 13 for detecting a sync patternaccording to the binary signal.

The information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 comprises a PLL 14 forsupplying a clock signal to the sync detecting unit 18 and other unitsin the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1, clock signal thatis a reference signal by which the sync detecting unit 13 and otherunits are operated.

The information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 comprises a holdsignal generating unit 15 operative to generate a hold signal forcontrolling the operations of the PLL 14 and a data reading unit 16 forreading reproduction data from the generated sync pattern by the syncdetecting unit 13 so as to output the read reproduction data.

Furthermore, the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 comprisesa CPU 20 connected with the optical pickup 3, the ECC blockconfiguration unit 5, the linking block inserting unit 6 and the datarecording unit 7 so as to permit data communication thereamong.

The CPU 20 supervisorily controls the above whole information recordingoperations executed through the optical pickup 3, the ECC blockconfiguration, unit 5, the linking block inserting unit 6 and the datarecording unit 7.

Furthermore, the CPU 20 is also connected with the reproduction signalproducing unit 111, the binary slicing unit 12, the sync detecting unit13, the PLL 14, the hold signal generating unit 15 and the data readingunit 16 so as to permit data communication thereamong.

The CPU 20 supervisorily controls the above whole informationreproducing operations executed through the reproduction signalproducing unit 11, the binary slicing unit 12, the sync detecting unit13, the PLL 14, the hold signal generating unit 15 and the data readingunit 16.

The information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 also comprises amemory 21 to which the CPU 20 can freely access so that the CPU 20 canfreely read/write data required for its operations from/on the memory21. On the memory 21, a program causing the CPU 20 to execute theinformation recording/reproducing processing function is stored.

Next, linking block inserting operations by the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment andthe data configuration including the linking block inserted on the basisof the linking block inserting operations are explained hereinafter.

That is, the user data digitized by the A/D converter in the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1 is inputted in the ECC blockconfiguration unit 5. The ECC block configuration unit 5 subjects thesame scramble to the user data so as to add parity bits to the scrambleduser data, thereby configuring the ECC block.

FIG. 2 shows the ECC block configured by the ECC block configurationunit 5 in DVD data format, shown in FIG. 1.

The ECC block is served as a unit block by which the error-correctionprocessing is applied to the inputted user data.

As shown in FIG. 2, the 16 sector data (sector 0˜sector 15) that arecontinuously arranged on the disk correspond to one ECC block. Eachsector included in the ECC block in FIG. 2 is configured to have amatrix shape of 182 bytes×13 lines so that the ECC block is configuredto have a matrix shape of 182 bytes×208 lines.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of each of the sectors. As shown in FIG. 3,13 lines consisting of one sector is divided into two groups of data sothat 32 bit sync code (SY0˜SY7), as an item of identificationinformation, is added to each group of each data consisting of 91 bytes(1456 bits). The data portion partitioned by each of the added sync codeof each data is configured as the sync frame. Each of the sync code isserved as an identification code for identifying the corresponding syncframe when reproducing the ECC-block.

In FIG. 3, each line consists of two sync frames so that each sectorincludes 26 sync frames SP1˜SF26 in all. Each block, therefore, has adata configuration (data format) divided into 16×26 sync frames in allso as to be arranged into a block.

In the sync code, a pulse having a channel bit width of 14T, the Trepresenting a bit clock period per channel, is sank so that the synccode pattern is longer than the pattern of the longest channel bit width11T, which appears at the data portion, making it possible todistinguish the sync code from the data portion to identify it.

Trains of 9 channel bits at the heads of the sync codes have differentbit patterns, respectively, so that eight kinds of sync codes SY0˜SY7are provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the arrangement of the sync codesSY0˜SY7 permits the data position in the sector to be identified.

The user data inputted in the ECC block unit 5 is configured as therecord data consisting of the ECC blocks so that the record data istransmitted to the liking block inserting unit 6.

The linking block inserting unit 6 receives the transmitted record dataso as to insert a linking block in each of the boundary portions betweeneach pair of adjacent ECC blocks.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state that the linking block is inserted onthe boundary portion between the already recorded data and additionaldata on the disk 2.

That is, the linking block inserting unit 6, as shown in the obliquelines (hatchings), inserts a linking block LB in a region of two syncframes (first sync frame SYF1 and a second sync frame SYF2) between theECC block at the last of the already recorded data and that at the headof new additional data. Both of the ECC blocks just before and after thelinking block have the same configuration of the ECC block shown in FIG.3, but at least one of code patterns of sync codes SYX, SYY of the twosync frames in the linking block is different from those of usual synccodes SX0˜SX7 so as to be set as special sync code pattern.

That is, the linking block inserting unit 6 adds a sync code SYXdifferent from the usual sync codes SX0˜SX7 to the first sync frame SYF1in the inserted linking block LB, and adds a sync code SYY differentfrom the usual sync codes SX0˜SX7 to the second sync frame SYFs in theinserted linking block LB.

At least one of codes patterns of the added sync codes SYX, SYY isdifferent from the code patterns of the usual sync codes SX0˜SX7 so thatreferring at least one of the sync codes SYX, SYY permits the linkingblock LB to be distinguished from the actual data portion. On each dataportion of each of the sync frames SYF1 and SYF2 included in the linkingblock LB, dummy data, as shown in FIG. 4, is recorded in place of theactual data, or no data is recorded.

In this embodiment, the linking block inserting unit 6 inserts thelinking block LB on each of the boundary portions between each pair ofadjacent ECC blocks on the disk 2. In this configuration, the linkingblock LB is always inserted between each of the already recorded dataand each new additional data when recording each new additional data onthe disk 2, and the linking block LB is within three sync frames insize, for example, a little two sync frames in size, as compared withthe ECC block including 16×26 sync frames, making it possible to preventa waste of the recording capacity of the disk 2, thereby making useefficiently of the recording capacity thereof.

The present invention, however, is not limited to the structure ofinserting the linking block LB in all boundary portions. That is, thelinking block inserting unit 6 may select at least one of the boundaryportions between all adjacent ECC blocks so as to insert the at leastone of the selected boundary portion.

FIG. 5 is a view representing the data portion including the linkingblock LB shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with a data arrangement on thedisk 2. In FIG. 5, the data A is taken as the already recorded data, andthe ECC block (n−1) is taken as the last one of the ECC blocks of thedata A. The data B following after the data A is taken as the additionaldata, and the ECC block (n) is taken as the head one of the ECC blocksof the data B. As shown in FIG. 5, the linking block LB consisting ofthe two sync frames is inserted on the boundary portion between the ECCblock (n−1) and the ECC block (n).

The data recording unit 7, therefore, stops the recording proceeding ofthe data A at the ECC block (n−1) at the last end therein so as to shiftto the linking block LB, thereby starting to record the data B from itsECC block (n) at the head end therein. On the connection portion betweenthe data A and the data B, the linking block LB is inserted in a statethat continuity from the data A to the data B is interrupted once.

When reproducing the disk on which the data is arranged as shown in FIG.5, the reproducing operation with respect to the data A is performed soas to be reached to the ECC block (n−1), and, after the reproducing ofthe data A is completed, the sync code SYX in the linking block LB isdetected. The code pattern of sync code SYX is different from that ofeach of the sync codes SY0˜SY7 so that it is possible to easilydistinguish the position of the linking block LB. A concreteconfiguration of detecting the sync code SYX when reproducing the datais described hereinafter. Incidentally, the sync code SYY may bedetected in order to distinct the linking block LB, but, in thisembodiment, the sync code SYX is detected so as to distinct the linkingblock LB.

Next, the recording track on the disk 2 according to the firstembodiment is described hereinafter, referring to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a frame format of a relationship between astructure of the recording track on the unrecorded disk 2 and that ofthe record data described above. The structure of the recording track isshown with its enlarged scale.

A top of FIG. 6 shows items of the address information, each of whichuniquely identifies a location in the record data. The items of theaddress information are previously stored on the recording track TR onthe disk 2. The recording track TR is divided into address units AU inits longitudinal direction, that is, a circumferential direction of thedisk 2, each of which corresponds to each of the items of the addressinformation.

That is, for example, the record data which should be recorded on thelocation of address n is recorded on the address unit AU correspondingto the item of address information having the value of address n. Theitem of address information corresponding to each address unit AU isstored in such a manner that, while the recording track TR in eachaddress unit AU is wobbled, the period of the wobbling isphase-modulated by the item of address information corresponding to eachaddress unit AU.

On the disk 2 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, each item ofaddress unit AU is formed so that the boundary portion between oneaddress unit AU on which the last data of one of the ECC blocks isrecorded and another one address unit AU on which the first data ofanother one of the ECC blocks following from the one of the ECC blocksis recorded coincides with the boundary portion between the sync framescorresponding to the linking block after each of the ECC blocks isrecorded.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when the sync code SYX follows from thelast data of the ECC block (n−1), the location on which the data at anafter end of the sync frame SYF1 in the linking block LB including thesync code SYX is recorded, after end which is opposite to the sync codeSYX side end, coincides with an after end of the last one in the addressunits AU which correspond to the ECC block (n−1). In addition, as shownin FIG. 6, when the sync code SYY is ahead of the first data of the ECCblock (n), the location on which the data at a before end of the synccode SYY is recorded, before end which is adjacent to the after end ofthe sync frame SYP1, coincides with a before end of the first one in theaddress units AU which correspond to the ECC block (n).

Incidentally, FIG. 6 shows that an area on the disk 2, on which therecord data including one ECC block and the data corresponding to onesync frame of the linking block LB in either side of the one ECC blockis recorded, corresponds to four address units AU. For example, an areaARE on the disk 2, on which the record data including the ECC block(n−1) and the data corresponding to one sync frame of the linking blockLB in either side of the ECC block (n−1) ought to be recorded,corresponds to four times as wide as each address unit. That is, thearea ARE corresponds to four address units AU (n+1)˜AU (n+4).

That is, each ECC block and each linking block corresponding thereto arerecorded on each area ARE which is zoned so as to correspond to zoningsof the address units AU so that it is possible to accurately distinctthe position of the linking block by referring the address units AU.

As described above, the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1according to the first embodiment comprises the ECC block configurationunit 5, as record data configuration means, for configuring the datahaving the data configuration described above with respect to theinformation recording medium, such as a DVD-RW, DVD-R or the like, andthe linking block inserting unit 6, as linking block inserting means,for inserting the linking block having the described feature in therecord data.

In addition, the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 accordingto the first embodiment comprises the data recording unit 7, as datarecording means, for controlling, as described above, the record ofadditional data with respect to the information recording medium, suchas a DVD-RW, DVD-R or the like.

Next, linking block detecting operations by the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment whenreproducing the disk 2 are explained while referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.7.

FIG. 7 is a view showing waveform patterns of signals outputted from theunits 11, 13, 14 and 15 of the information recording/reproducingapparatus 1 in a case where the linking block of the disk is reproducedthereby.

That is, the light beam is irradiated from the optical pickup 3 withrespect to a target recording track on the disk 2 which is rotatablydriven. A reflection light from the target recording track on the disk 2is detected by a detector in the optical pickup 3. The detected signalfrom the optical pickup 3 is inputted into the reproduction signalproducing unit 11 so that a reproduction signal whose levels are changedaccording to the pit on the target track and the land thereon, land atwhich the pit is not formed. For example, in cases where the detector ofthe optical pickup 3 has four divided detecting areas, the reproductionsignal producing unit 11 adds the detected signals by the four divideddetecting areas in the detector so as to produce the reproductionsignal.

Then, in top of FIG. 7, the waveform pattern of the reproduction signalis shown when the data portion including the linking block LB of thedisk 2 as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 clearly represents that thereproduction signal has stable levels when the data A before thereproduction of the linking block LB is reproduced and the data B afterthe reproduction of the linking block LB is reproduced. On the contrary,FIG. 7 clearly represents that the distortion of the level in thereproduction signal occurs when the linking block LB is reproduced. Whenrecording additional data (data 8), missing the synchronization betweenthe data before and after the boundary portion of the additional dataand the already recorded data because of the data between the databefore and after the boundary portion being indefinite causes the abovedistortion of the level in the reproduction signal. The configuration ofthe information recording/reproducing apparatus 1 according to thisembodiment permits the data before and after the boundary portion to besynchronized with each other.

Next, the binary slicing unit 12 slices the reproduction signal by apredetermined level so as to binarize it, thereby producing a binarysignal corresponding to the data pattern of the record data on the disk2. The sync detecting unit 13 detects distinguishably the usual syncpatterns SY0˜SY7 or the sync patterns SYX and the SYY included in thelinking block LB on the basis of the binary signal from the binaryslicing unit 12. The sync detecting unit 13 outputs a SYX detectingsignal for distinguishing timing at which the sync pattern SYX in thelinking block LB is detected.

As shown in FIG. 7, the SYX detecting signal is a pulse signal which isturned into a high level from the detection timing t0 of the syncpattern SYX in the data pattern included in the binary signal so as tokeep the high level state in a short time.

The PLL 14 inputs the binary signal therein and is served as clocksampling means for sampling a clock signal synchronized with thereproduction signal. The PLL 14 contains an oscillating circuit whoseoscillating frequency and phase are controlled by a PLL error signalwhose levels are changed in conjunction with the binary signal. The PLL14 becomes a lock state until a predetermined capturing time elapsesfrom the start of the operation of the PLL 14, and after the capturingtime elapses, the PLL 14 outputs stable clock signals. The clock signalsoutputted from the PLL 14 are supplied to each unit of the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1 and the sync detecting unit 13 so asto be used as reference signals of the synchronization when detectingthe sync code SYX.

The hold signal generating unit 15 generates a hold signal on the basisof the SYX detecting signal outputted from the sync detecting unit 13 soas to supply the hold signal to the PLL 14. The hold signal is a signalwhich is adapted to control a state of the PLL error signal, and todistinguish a predetermined time for which the level of the PLL errorsignal in the linking block is kept.

Then, the waveform pattern in the hold signal is shown in FIG. 7. Thehold signal has the waveform pattern such that the signal rises at thetiming t1 of the fall of the SYX detection signal so as to keep the highlevel until a predetermined hold time Ta elapses, so that, after thepredetermined hold time Ta elapses, the signal falls at the timing oft2, wherein the hold time Ta is defined as the elapsing time from the t1to that of t2. As shown in bottom of FIG. 7, the PLL signal keeps thehigh level for the hold time Ta.

Before the timing t1, the waveform of the PLL signal is changedaccording to the control states of the PLL 14. At the timing t2, the PLL14 is turned to an unlocked state, so that the PLL 14 executes newcapturing operations from the timing t2 to the timing t3 until which apredetermined time Tb elapses, whereby, after the timing t2, thewaveform of the PLL error signal is changed again according to thecontrol states of the PLL 14. Incidentally, because the frequency of thePLL 14 is suitably set while the PLL 14 executes the capturingoperations, the time Tb is a time required for matching phases of thePLL 14.

The data reading unit 16 reads data portions following from the syncframes distinguished according to the sync code detected by the syncdetecting unit 13. The data reading unit 16 also subject the dataportion to various signal processings including error-correctionprocessing and so on, which are required for reading the data portion,so as to output the data portion as the reproducing data.

According to each waveform pattern shown in FIG. 7, in a case where thelinking block of the disk is reproduced, it is necessary to set the lastedge position of the linking block LB before the elapse of the capturingtime Tb. First, the hold time Ta is set to a degree of time permittingthe distortion of the waveform in the at least reproduction signal to beavoided. The capturing time Tb is determined on the basis of thecharacteristics such as the frequency band of the PLL 14 and so on. Thelength of the linking block LB must be set by taking into considerationof the hold time Ta and the capturing time Tb. Concretely, setting thelength of the linking block LB to one sync frame usually causes thecapturing time TB to be shortened so that the frequency band of the PLL14 is excessively wide. It is desired, therefore, to set the length ofthe linking block LB to two sync frames or more thereof. In cases where,however, the characteristic of the PLL 14 is secured, it is possible toset the length of the linking block LB to one sync frame. In cases ofsetting the length of the linking block LB over and above what isneeded, the linking block LB bears on the recording capacity on the disk2 so that it is desired to set the linking block LB within three frames.

The configuration such that the length of the linking block is setwithin three frames permits the size in the disk 2 required for thelinking block to be decreased, thereby making use effectively therecording capacity on the disk 2.

In this embodiment, the PLL 14, as the clock sampling processing, stopsthe extracting of clock signal once when the reproduction processing isreached to the linking block LB, and after the predetermined hold timeTa elapses, samples again the clock signal so that it is possible tokeep the PLL error signal to constant value for the hold signal Ta. As aresult, it is possible to forestall the bad effects with respect to theextraction of the clocks, such as a phase slip of the PLL or the like,due to the distortion of the waveform of the reproduction signal atwhich the already recorded signal is switched to the additional data,thereby controlling stably the frequency and the phase of the PLL toextract the clock signals.

A configuration of a modification of the first embodiment is explainedin cases of applying the above linking block LB to a DVD-ROM as thereproduction-only information recording medium. The object of thismodification is to apply the present invention to the DVD-ROM so as topermit the compatibility between the above recordable/writableinformation recording medium such as the DVD-RW/the DVD-R and theDVD-ROM to be secured.

FIG. 8 is a view representing the data portion including the linkingblock LB in accordance with the data arrangement which is the same asthat in FIG. 5 on the DVD-ROM as the disk 2.

In FIG. 8, in a different point as compared with FIG. 5, the linkingblock LB is utilized as a sub code area on which sub code playing aspecial role is recorded. Incidentally, other points are the same asthose in FIG. 5. The data configuration shown from FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 isbasically the same as that in FIG. 8, but the sub code is recorded onthe data portions of two sync frames SYF1 and SYF2 included in thelinking block LB in place of the dummy data.

The sub code area in the DVD-ROM is a redundant area because no dataessentially is recorded thereon, whereas, in this modification, it ispossible to record on the sub code area various items of controlinformation required for the reproduction control. For example, it maybe possible to write an initial value of the scramble processing towhich the recorded data is subjected on the sub code area. That is, theinitial value of the scramble processing is obtained according to therecording position of the record data, but, in this modification, it ispossible to easily determine the initial value of the scrambleprocessing because the initial value is previously recorded as the subcode.

In cases of recording various items of control information on the subcode area as the sub code, the sub code area must be read whenreproducing the DVD-ROM, but, in this modification, it is possible todetect the sync code SYX or SYY added to the linking block LB on whichthe various items of control information are recorded so as to simplyread the various items of control information, thereby being identified.

An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the DVD-ROM relatedto the modification comprises an information reproducing apparatusincluding elements which are the same as the optical pickup 3, thereproduction signal production unit 11, the binary slicing unit 12, thePLL 14, the hold signal generating unit 15, the data reading unit 16,the CPU 20 and the memory 21 so that the information reproducingapparatus can detect the linking block LB as described above.Incidentally, in cases where it is secured to continually extract properclock signals when reproducing the DVD-ROM, the hold signal detectingunit 15 may not be especially provided, but it is only necessary todetect the sync code SYX.

As described above, according to the information recording/reproducingapparatus 1, when recording the record data on the disk 2 on which theitems of address information are previously stored in consideration ofthe area including the ECC block and the linking block LB, the linkingblock LB with two sync frame length is inserted on each boundary portionbetween each of the ECC blocks, and the sync codes SYX, SYY each havingspecial patterns, respectively, are added to the linking block LB. Whenreproducing the disk 2, the sync code SYX is detected to distinct theposition of the linking block so that the PLL 14 is kept to a hold stateduring the linking block being reproduced, whereby the PLL executes newcapturing operations during the data portion following from the linkingblock being reproduced.

This configuration permits the linking block not to be formed in eachECC block, preventing the error-correction performance from beingdeteriorated, and avoiding that the whole ECC block can not be used forrecording data. The use of the data portion as the linking blocks, whichis sufficiently shorter than the ECC block, permits a wasteful capacityin the recording capacity of the disk to be decreased.

As a result, it is possible to improve the reliability of the recorddata without affecting the error-correction performance of each block.In addition, it is also possible to get rid of a wasteful area in eachblock and to prevent the size of the linking block, thereby making useof the recording capacity of the information recording medium.

When reproducing the disk, detecting the sync code SYX causes theposition of the linking block to be securely identified, and the PLL 14to be suitably controlled according to the position of the linking blockso as to allow PLL 14 to stably extract clock signals, thereby improvingthe reliability of the reproduction signal.

It is also possible to secure the compatibility between the disk onwhich data can be recorded, such as the DVD-R, DVD-RW and so on, and areproduction-only disk such as the DVD-ROM, thereby improving theusability of the disks.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, because the linking blocks are formedon all of the boundary portions to which all ECC blocks are adjacent,respectively, it is possible to configure the record data in regulardata format, permitting to be simplified a detecting circuit fordetecting the linking block at the time of the disk being reproduced.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state that a linking block is inserted on aboundary portion between an already recorded data and additional data ona DVD-RW/DVD-R as a disk according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention. Incidentally, a functional block diagram of an informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1A according to the second embodiment isthe same as that of the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1according to the first embodiment, omitting the explanation of thefunctional block diagram of the information recording/reproducingapparatus 1A.

The linking block has an essential role, as explained in the firstembodiment, for keeping additional data away from the already recordeddata at a predetermined interval when recording the additional data onthe recording disk 2, such as, DVD-RW/DVD-R or the like. In thisembodiment, however, the linking block is formed on thereproduction-only disk 2, such as DVD-ROM or the like so that therecording format of the reproduction-only disk 2 is made common to therecording disk 2.

Inserting operations of the linking block with respect to the recordingdisk 2, such as DVD-RW/DVD-R or the like, is explained at first.

That is, in this embodiment, the linking block inserting unit 6A, asshown by oblique lines in FIG. 9, inserts the linking block LB on anemboss area previously formed on the recording track of the recordingdisk 2 so that the linking block LB holds the emboss area, preventingdata on the linking block LB from being recorded.

The linking block inserting unit 6A adds a sync code SYX different fromthe usual sync codes SX0˜SX7 to a first sync frame SYF1.

The added sync coded SYX has a code pattern which is different fromthose of the usual sync codes SX0˜SX7 so that referring the sync codeSYX permits the linking block LB to be distinguished from the actualdata portion. On the emboss area, dummy data, as shown in FIG. 8, isrecorded.

Next, FIG. 10 is a view representing a data configuration of the linkingblock applied to the DVD-RW/DVD-R as the disk 2 according to the secondembodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the linking block is formed on theboundary portion between the preceding ECC block (n−1) and the followingECC block (n). The emboss area is formed on the intermediate portion ofthe linking block LB. Then, because the sync code SYX at the head in thelinking block LB is added when recording the data on the DVD-RW/DVD-R,the only emboss area exists in the linking block LB in cases where nodata is recorded on the DVD-RW/DVD-R.

In FIG. 10, the emboss area is arranged within a zone of 66 bytes inlength in the linking block LB total of which is 186 bytes in lengthother than its head zone of 60 bytes in length and its last zone of 60bytes length therein.

Because, when the emboss area forming with a line of emboss pits isexcessively close to the recording areas adjacent to the linking block,the emboss area can cause recording films on the recording areas to bedeteriorated, the emboss area is arranged away from the recording areasat a predetermined distance, which are adjacent to the linking block LBso as to forestall the deterioration of the recording areas adjacent tothe linking block.

The head in the linking block LB is blank in cases where no data isrecorded on the DVD-RW/DVD-R, whereas, in cases where data is recordedon the DVD-RW/DVD-R, the sync code SYX is added to the head in thelinking block. The sync code SYY which is added to the linking block onthe DVD-ROM is not added to that on the DVD-RW/DVD-R because the synccode SYY is overlapped on the emboss area so as not to read the synccode SYY.

The shape of recording track in the linking block is shown in the bottomside in FIG. 10. The groove track as the recording track is wobbled sothat, when recording data on the recording track, recording markscorresponding to the record data are formed on the groove track exceptfor the linking block.

The emboss area is formed with the emboss pit line including emboss pitsand lands arranged alternately. The pattern of the emboss pit line ischanged according to the dummy data. Data is prevented from beingrecorded on the emboss area, and even if the recording mark is illegallycopied to be recorded on the emboss area, the interference of the embosspit line to the recording mark makes impossible reproduce the recordingmark. This operation is described hereinafter,

Next, linking block detecting operations by the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1A according to the second embodimentwhen reproducing the DVD-RW/DVD-R as the disk 2 are explained whilereferring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 is a view showing waveform patterns of signals outputted fromthe units 11, 13, 14 and 15 of the information recording/reproducingapparatus 1A in a case where the linking block of the disk, such asDVD-RW/DVD-R is reproduced thereby.

That is, the light beam is irradiated from the optical pickup 3 withrespect to a target recording track on the disk 2 which is rotatablydriven. A reflection light from the target recording track on the disk 2is detected by the detector in the optical pickup 3. The detected signalfrom the optical pickup 3 is inputted into the reproduction signalproducing unit 11 so that a reproduction signal whose levels are changedaccording to the pit on the target track and the land thereon, at whichthe pit is not formed.

Then, in top of FIG. 11, the waveform pattern of the reproduction signalis shown when the data portion including the linking block LB of thedisk 2. FIG. 11 clearly represents that the reproduction signal hasdifferent levels within a range of level L1 to level L2 while the dataportion preceding the linking block LB is reproduced and the dataportion including the sync code SYX positioned at the head in thelinking block LB is reproduced.

FIG. 11 also clearly represents that the reproduction signal has aconstant level of L2 while unrecorded areas in the linking block exceptfor the emboss area are reproduced, and that the reproduction signal hasdifferent levels within a range of level L2 to level L3 while the embossarea is reproduced.

The shift of the range of the signal level is due to that thecharacteristic of the level of the reflection beam caused by thepresence or absence of the recording mark is changed in reverse ascompared with that of the level of the reflection beam caused by thepresence or absence of the emboss pit. The reproduction signal shown inFIG. 11 has different DC levels at the preceding and following areas tothe linking block, and the emboss area.

When recording the record data on the linking block LB on the disk 2,the recording mark is recorded to be overlapped on the emboss pit linein the emboss area on the groove track so that, when reproducing thegroove track on the disk 2, it is impossible to accurately obtain areproduction signal corresponding to the recorded data of the linkingblock. On the contrary, when reproducing the data portions preceding andfollowing to the linking block, continuous reproduction must be securedso that, in this embodiment, the configuration described hereinafterpermits to be secured the synchronization of the reproduction of thepreceding data portion to the linking block with the reproduction of thefollowing data portion thereto.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the binary slicing unit 12, similarly to thefirst embodiment, slices the reproduction signal by a predeterminedlevel so as to binarize it, thereby producing a binary signalcorresponding to the data pattern of the record data on the disk 2. Thesync detecting unit 13 detects distinguishably the usual sync patternsSY0˜SY7 or the sync patterns SYX and the SYY included in the linkingblock LB on the basis of the binary signal from the binary slicing unit12.

The PLL 14, similarly to the first embodiment, inputs the binary signaltherein so as to sample a clock synchronized with the reproductionsignal.

The hold signal generating unit 15 generates a hold signal on the basisof the SYX detecting signal outputted from the sync detecting unit 13 soas to supply the hold signal to the PLL 14. The hold signal is a signalwhich is adapted to control a state of the PLL error signal, and todistinguish a predetermined time for which the level of the PLL errorsignal in the linking block is kept.

Then, the waveform pattern in the hold signal is shown in FIG. 11. Thehold signal has the waveform pattern such that the signal rises at thetiming t1 of the fall of the SYX detection signal so as to keep the highlevel until a predetermined hold time Ta elapses, so that, after thepredetermined hold time Ta elapses, the signal falls at the timing, oft2, wherein the hold time Ta is defined as the elapsing time from the t1to that of t2. As shown in bottom of FIG. 11, the PLL signal keeps thehigh level for the hold time Ta.

The data reading unit 16 reads data portions following from the syncframes distinguished according to the sync code detected by the syncdetecting unit 13. The data reading unit 16 also subject the dataportion to various signal processings including error-correctionprocessing and so on, which are required for reading the data portion,so as to output the data portion as the reproducing data.

According to each waveform pattern shown in FIG. 11 in a case where thelinking block of the disk is reproduced, it is necessary to set the lastedge position of the linking block LB before the elapse of the capturingtime Tb. First, the hold time Ta is set to a degree of time permittingthe distortion of the waveform in the at least reproduction signal to beavoided. The capturing time Tb is determined on the basis of thecharacteristics such as the frequency band of the PLL 14 and so on. Thelength of the linking block LB must be set by taking into considerationof the hold time Ta and the capturing time Tb. Concretely, setting thelength of the linking block LB to one sync frame usually causes thecapturing time TB to be shortened so that the frequency band of the PLL14 is excessively wide. It is desired, therefore, to set the length ofthe linking block LB to two sync frames or more thereof. In cases where,however, the characteristic of the PLL 14 is secured, it is possible toset the length of the inking block LB to one sync frame. In cases ofsetting the length of the linking block LB over and above what isneeded, the linking block LB bears on the recording capacity on the disk2 so that it is desired to set the linking block LB within three frames.

Next, operations of inserting the linking block on the reproduction-onlydisk 2 such as a DVD-ROM is explained according to the secondembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a state that the linking block is inserted onthe boundary portion between the already recorded data and additionaldata on the DVD-ROM as the disk 2.

Incidentally, a functional block diagram of an informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 1B according to the modification is thesame as that of the information recording/reproducing apparatus 1according to the first embodiment, omitting the explanation of thefunctional block diagram of the information recording/reproducingapparatus 1B.

That is, the linking block inserting unit 6B, as shown in the obliquelines (hatchings), inserts a lining block LB on a region of two syncframes (first sync frame SYF1 and a second sync frame SYF2) between theECC block at the last of the already recorded data and that at the headof new additional data.

Then, the data structure of the linking block LB applied to the DVD-ROMis explained in reference to FIG. 12˜FIG. 14.

FIG. 12 is a view representing the data structure of the linking blockLB applied to the DVD-ROM. As shown in FIG. 12, the linking block LB,shown in oblique lines, consisting of the two sync frames is inserted onthe boundary portion between the ECC block (n−1) and the ECC block (n).

Similarly to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a sync code SYXdifferent from the usual sync codes SX0˜SX7 is added by the linkingblock inserting unit 6B to the first sync frame SYF1 in the insertedlinking block LB, and a sync code SYY different from the usual synccodes SX0˜SX7 is added thereby to the second sync frame SYF in theinserted linking block LB so that referring the sync codes SYX, SYYpermits the linking block LB to be distinguished from the actual dataportion.

In this structure, on data portions of two sync frames SYF1 and SYF2included in the linking block LB, control information required forreproduction operations, as shown in FIG. 12, is recorded in place ofusual data.

In this configuration, the linking block LB is inserted on all of theboundary portions between all adjacent ECC blocks on the disk 2.According to this configuration, the siring block LB is always insertedbetween each of the already recorded data and each new additional datawhen recording each new additional data on the disk 2, and the linkingblock LB is within three sync frames in size, for example, a little twosync frames in size, as compared with the ECC block including 16×26 syncframes, making it possible to prevent a waste of the recording capacityof the disk 2, thereby making use efficiently of the recording capacitythereof.

The present invention, however, is not limited to the structure ofinserting the linking block LB on all boundary portions. That is, thelinking block inserting unit 6B may insert the linking block LB on everyseveral boundary portions.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a concrete data configuration of the linkingblock LB applied to the DVD-ROM as the disk 2. As shown in FIG. 13, thelinking block LB consisting of the two sync frames is inserted on theboundary portion between the ECC block (n−1) and the FCC block (n).

When reproducing the DVD-ROM, the data recording unit 7 stops thereproducing proceeding of the record data A1 at the ECC block (n−1) atthe last end therein so as to shift to the lining block LB, therebyreading the control information from the linking block LB. When thereading position of the data recording unit 7 reaches to the last end ofthe linking block LB, the recording unit 7 starts to reproduce therecord data B1 from its ECC block (n) at the head end therein.

In the reproducing operations to the DVD-ROM, when detecting the synccode SYX in the linking block LB, the code pattern of sync code SYX isdifferent from that of each of the sync codes SY0˜SY7 so that it ispossible to easily distinguish the position of the linking block LB.Incidentally, the sync code SYY may be detected in order to distinguishthe linking block LB, but, in this embodiment, the sync code SYX isdetected so as to distinguish the linking block LB.

Next, the control information recorded on the linking block LB on theDVD-ROM is explained.

The linking block LB consists of two sync frames and each sync frame is91 bytes in size so that the linking block LB allows a maximum of 182bytes of the control information to be recorded thereon.

FIG. 14 (FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B) shows different examples of formats ofcontrol data recorded on the linking block on the DVD-ROM according tothe modification of the second embodiment.

In the format shown in FIG. 14A, the control data comprises controlinformation of 145 bytes in length (in size), parity data of 32 bytes inlength, which corresponds to the control information and re-sync data of5 bytes in length, which represents a last end of the linking block LB.The control information includes, for example, at least one of addressof each ECC block, copy protect information, key information (key data)needed to decode the scrambled data or the like.

Then, in this embodiment, because the linking block is formed on all ofthe boundary portions between the ECC blocks adjacent to each other, itis possible to record the control information so as to correspond toeach of the ECC blocks, permitting various kinds of copy protectionmethods to be applied to each ECC block. As one example of copyprotection methods, setting different items of copy information as thecontrol information, each of which corresponds to each of the ECCblocks, makes prevent the record data on a selected particular area frombeing copied. In addition, the items of control information are set tocorrespond to the respective ECC blocks so that copy protection methodsdetermined by the items of control information can be changed accordingto the recording areas to which the ECC blocks are recorded,respectively.

Setting different scramble keys to the ECC blocks, respectively, canmake hard the decoding of the scrambled data in the ECC blocks, therebyimproving the performance of the scramble processing and makingeffective prevention of illegal copies.

In the format shown in FIG. 14B, the control data comprises controlinformation of 55 bytes in length (in size) and parity data of 32 bytesin length which are recorded on the areas each of that has 91 bytes insize and that corresponds to each of the sink frames SYF1 and SYF2 ofthe linking block LB. The control data also comprises dummy data andre-sync data each of which is recorded on a last location of each of thetwo sink frames SYF1 and SYF2. In the format shown in FIG. 14B, thecontent of control information is substantially the same as that ofcontrol information of the format shown in FIG. 14A. In addition, in theformat shown in FIG. 14B, repeatedly recording the same control data twotimes on the linking block LB allows the reliability of the control datato be improved.

An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing the DVD-ROM relatedto the modification comprises an information reproducing apparatusincluding elements which are the same as the optical pickup 3, thereproduction signal production unit 11, the binary slicing unit 12, thePLL 14, the hold signal generating unit 15, the data reading unit 16,the CPU 20 and the memory 21 so that the information reproducingapparatus can detect the linking block LB as described above.

However, in cases of reading the control data from the linking block LB,in order to reproduce the control data on the linking block LB whenreproducing the DVD-ROM, the control data on the linking block isreproduced without using the hold signal from the hold signal generatingunit 15.

As described above, according to the information recording/reproducingapparatus 1A/1B of the second embodiment, forming the linking block onthe boundary portion between the adjacent ECC blocks on therecordable/re-recordable DVD-RW/DVD-R corresponding to the DVD format,or the reproduction-only DVD-ROM permits the compatibility of theirrecording formats to be secured. In addition, the sync code SYX having aspecial pattern is added to the linking block.

This configuration allows the linking block not to be formed in each ECCblock, preventing the error-correction performance from beingdeteriorated, and avoiding that the whole ECC block can not be used forrecording data. The use of the data portion as the linking block, whichis sufficiently shorter than the ECC block, allows a wasteful capacityin the recording capacity of the disk to be decreased.

In addition, when reproducing the disk, detecting the sync code SYXpermits the position of the linking block to be securely identified.

Moreover, the emboss area consisting of the emboss pit line is formed onthe linking block on the DVD-RW/DVD-R, and the control data is recordedon the linking block of the DVD-ROM so that, when copying data on theDVD-ROM to the DVD-RW/DVD-R, the position of the control data of theDVD-ROM is overlapped on the emboss area on the DVD-RW/DVD-R, wherebythe interference of the emboss pit line to the recording mark makes hardreproduce the control data. For example, in cases where the copyprotection information or the key data corresponding to each ECC blockis recorded on the linking block on the DVD-ROM, it is impossible todistinct the copy protection information or the key data on theDVD-RW/DVD-R, making increase the effect of the prevention of illegalcopy.

Incidentally, in these first and second embodiments, the presentinvention is applied to the information recording/reproducing apparatuscorresponding to the DVD-format, but the present invention is notlimited to the application.

That is, the present invention may be applied to an informationrecording/reproducing apparatus corresponding to recording/reproducingformat which allows the linking block to be formed on the disk.

INDUSTRIAL AVAILABILITY

As described above, the present invention allows a linking block with aidentification code to be inserted on a boundary portion betweenadjacent unit blocks on an information recording medium which permitsinformation to be recorded thereon or to be reproduced therefrom so thatit is possible to prevent error-correction performance from beingdeteriorated, thereby improving a reliability of recorded information,and to decrease a wasteful capacity in a recording capacity of theinformation recording medium, thereby making effectively use of therecording capacity thereof.

In addition, the present invention permits a linking block to bearranged on a boundary portion between adjacent unit blocks on aninformation recording medium so as to form, in a case where aninformation recordable/re-recordable medium is used as the informationrecording medium, an emboss area consisting of emboss pit line on thelinking block, or to form, in a case where a reproduction-onlyinformation recording medium is used as the information recordingmedium, control data on the linking block, making it possible todecrease a wasteful capacity in a recording capacity of the informationrecording medium and to effectively prevent an illegal copy.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment and modifications of the present invention, it willbe understood that various modifications which are not described yet maybe made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims allsuch modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

The entire disclosures of Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-396207filed on Dec. 26, 2000 and No. 2001-55586 filed on Feb. 28, 2001including the specification, claims, drawings and summary areincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1-34. (canceled)
 35. An information recording medium comprising: unitblock areas in which ECC (Error Correction Code) blocks are divided intoL pieces of frames to which sync codes are added respectively, and arerecorded, each of the ECC blocks being a unit of error-correction withrespect to record data, the L being a natural number; and linking areas,each of which is inserted between adjacent unit blocks, in which Mpieces of frames are arranged, the M being a natural number, whereinsync codes different from those in the unit block areas are added to theM pieces of frames at locations separated respectively by a distanceequal in length to a sync-code gap in the unit block areas, wherein inthe unit block areas, N kinds of sync codes are recorded, the N being anatural number less than the L and greater than the M, wherein in thelinking areas, M kinds of sync codes are recorded.
 36. An informationrecording medium according to claim 35, wherein each of the linkingareas is inserted on each of the boundary portions between said unitblocks.
 37. An information reproducing apparatus for reproducing recorddata recorded in an information recording medium comprising: (i) unitblock areas in which ECC (Error Correction Code) blocks are divided intoL pieces of frames to which sync codes are added respectively, and arerecorded, each of the ECC blocks being a unit of error-correction withrespect to record data, the L being a natural number; and (ii) linkingareas, each of which is inserted between adjacent unit blocks, in whichM pieces of frames are arranged, the M being a natural number, whereinsync codes different from those in the unit block areas are added to theM pieces of frames at locations separated respectively by a distanceequal in length to a sync-code gap in the unit block areas, (iii)wherein in the unit block areas, N kinds of sync codes are recorded, theN being a natural number less than the L and greater than the M, (iv)wherein in the linking areas, M kinds of sync codes are recorded, theapparatus comprising: a sync code detecting device which detects thesync code included in a linking information recorded in the linking areafrom reproduction data obtained by reproducing the record data; and areproducing control device which determines a position of the linkingarea based on the detected sync code.
 38. An information reproducingmethod for reproducing record data recorded in an information recordingmedium comprising: (i) unit block areas in which ECC (Error CorrectionCode) blocks are divided into L pieces of frames to which sync codes areadded respectively, and are recorded, each of the ECC blocks being aunit of error-correction with respect to record data, the L being anatural number; and (ii) linking areas, each of which is insertedbetween adjacent unit blocks, in which M pieces of frames are arranged,the M being a natural number, wherein sync codes different from those inthe unit block areas are added to the M pieces of frames at locationsseparated respectively by a distance equal in length to a sync-code gapin the unit block areas, (iii) wherein in the unit block areas, N kindsof sync codes are recorded, the N being a natural number less than the Land greater than the M, (iv) wherein in the linking areas, M kinds ofsync codes are recorded, the method comprising the steps of: detectingthe sync code included in a linking information recorded in the linkingarea from reproduction data obtained by reproducing the record data; anddetermining a position of the linking area based on the detected synccode.